If you or someone you loved suffered injuries in a car accident on US-31 or anywhere in Shelby, MI, you need a law firm you can trust to get results. Christensen Law spares no resources when it comes to getting justice for our clients. We have served communities across Michigan since 1991 and have the skills, knowledge, and experience to take on the toughest cases.
Our Shelby, MI car accident lawyers will help you navigate first and third-party insurance claims and advocate for full and fair compensation. We will fight for the money you need so that you do not pay out of pocket for someone else’s mistakes. Contact us online or call now to learn more during a free consultation.
Our Shelby, MI Car Accident Lawyers Put Clients First
A car accident can change your life in the blink of an eye. If you suffered a serious injury, it can affect not only your health but also your finances, future, and mental and emotional well-being. You need a legal representative who will fight hard to help you get things back on track.
We Care About Securing Financial Resources and Supporting Our Clients
Our Shelby, MI personal injury lawyers are here to serve you with compassion. We want to be a voice for the unheard. We know you have been through a stressful and traumatic experience, and we are here to listen. When we know your story, we will provide you with personalized attention that addresses your individual needs and goals.
You can trust our legal team to do everything possible to secure maximum compensation for your car accident damages. We are not interested in settling cases quickly for less. We care about getting the money you deserve and prepare every case for trial.
Our firm consists of six attorneys, two partners, and a caring staff that make up one unified team. We will put our full resources behind your case and keep you informed and updated. When you call, we answer. When you email, we respond promptly.
We Have Secured Substantial Awards for Our Clients
We have won numerous multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, including a $17.8 million jury award for a motor vehicle accident victim – Michigan’s largest-even personal judgment.
Our Clients Note Our Commitment to Service
You do not have to take our word for it when it comes to our dedication to service and achieving results. We have glowing client testimonials that speak for us, like the following:
- “The team at Christensen Law is very prompt, professional, but most of all, kind and caring. If you have been in an auto accident, make sure you reach out to them for any questions you may have!” — Andrew Ottmar
- “Christensen Law was very professional, helpful, and compassionate to work with. Kecha was a great legal assistant and very informative and kept me up to date on the progress of my case. She also answered any and all questions I had.” — Danelle Vanderbeke
Understanding How No-Fault Insurance Will Affect Your Car Accident Case
Michigan is a No-Fault insurance state with recently changed laws regarding coverage mandates. According to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), most motorists must carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, but drivers can now choose the level of PIP medical coverage they purchase.
Drivers can decide between a policy that provides $250,000, $500,000, or unlimited medical benefits per person per accident. This medical coverage pays for crash injuries, regardless of who caused the collision. PIP benefits may also include:
- Some, but not all, of your lost wages
- Replacement services
- Funeral and burial expenses for accidents involving fatal injuries
If you have a serious injury, your PIP settlement may be significant, especially if you have unlimited coverage. Our Shelby, MI car accident lawyers will fight to get the most out of your first-party claim. If you have a severe injury and exhaust your PIP medical policy, we will explore your options for pursuing compensation outside the No-Fault system with a third-party negligence-based claim.
Damages You Can Pursue with a Liability Claim or Car Accident Lawsuit
If you qualify for a third-party claim or car accident lawsuit against a liable party, you can recover damages not compensable through No-Fault insurance, including:
- Medical expenses not covered by PIP
- The total value of your lost wages and employment benefits
- Lost future income and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, including monetary awards for mental anguish, emotional distress, severe and chronic pain, disabling injuries, and reduced quality of life
Our Shelby, MI wrongful death attorneys can assist your family with a claim on behalf of a fatally injured loved one. Wrongful death damages may include medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, loss of your loved one’s income, services, support, and intangible benefits, and the deceased’s conscious pain and suffering.
Whether you are coping with an injury or mourning a lost loved one, we offer our deepest sympathies. The team at Christensen Law would be honored to help you get the resources you need to move forward. Contact us today or call 24/7 for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Michigan Car Accidents
The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (MHSP) reports that in 2023, there were nearly 300,000 traffic accidents in the state, which caused over 70,000 injuries and more than 1,000 deaths. According to the MSHP:
- Almost one-third of fatal collisions happened at an intersection
- Just over one-fourth of deadly crashes involved at least one intoxicated party
- Excessive speeding was a factor in nearly 12 percent of fatal accidents
- Almost two-thirds of all accidents, fatal and nonfatal, involve two or more vehicles
Other common car accident causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting and driving
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Fatigued driving
- Failure to stop at red lights or stop signs
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Improper turns
- Illegal passing
- Tailgating
How Our Shelby, MI Car Accident Attorneys Prove Negligence
To win compensation from a liable driver or other at-fault party, you must show that their negligent actions caused your car accident. The stronger your case, the more likely insurance companies and opposing counsel will offer you an advantageous settlement and want to avoid going to court.
Our lawyers will do the work necessary to collect evidence to support your claim. We will visit the accident scene, obtain crash debris and physical proof, interview witnesses, gather police reports and medical records, and enlist the help of experts when needed. We will use this information to build a case demonstrating the four elements of negligence:
- Duty of care. The duty of care is the legal obligation to act safely and avoid hurting others. When behind the wheel, drivers owe all those they share the road with a duty of care.
- Breach of duty. A driver breaches the duty of care when they violate traffic laws or operate their vehicle in a manner most others would not find safe or reasonable.
- Causation. Causation uses evidence to show that a liable driver’s breach of duty was the direct cause of the accident.
- Damages. Damages prove that the accident and the victim’s injuries caused financial expenses, pain, and suffering.
What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident in Shelby, MI?
There are several things you should do if you are in a motor vehicle accident in Shelby, MI, including the following:
Get Contact and Insurance Information from Involved Parties
If physically able, get as much information as possible at the accident scene, including the involved parties’ contact, insurance, and driver’s license information. Use your cell phone to photograph injuries and vehicle damages and note any factors that may have contributed to the collision, such as bad weather or objects in the roadway.
Seek Medical Treatment
If you did not receive emergency medical care at the time of the accident, see a doctor as soon as possible. Follow your doctor’s orders and keep a record of your treatment and expenses. Avoid participating in work, hobbies, or activities that could worsen your injury.
File Claims Promptly
Insurance policies can have tight deadlines for filing a claim, so immediately notify providers, including your No-Fault insurer.
If legal action is necessary, we must file personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits with the Oceana County Courthouse within three years, according to Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.5805. If we must sue for PIP benefits, we have one year to file, according to Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 500.3145. If the statute of limitations runs out, you may not be able to recover compensation in court or through an insurance claim.
Learn About Your Legal Options
Our firm can explain all of your options for recovering personal injury compensation. Contacting us from the outset gives you a powerful and experienced legal ally who will let involved parties know you mean business.
Contact Christensen Law for a Free Consultation
While you focus on recovering from your injury or caring for your hurt loved one, Christensen Law will handle every detail of your case. Our Shelby, MI car accident lawyers have decades of legal experience they will use to fight for the maximum compensation possible.
Fill out our online contact form or call now and connect with a lawyer near you. We offer free consultations.
